Brief Encounter
I watched Something Blue the other day with my son’s fiancée. She hadn’t seen it before (a recent Buffy convert). She cried, “Oh, why can’t it be like that on the show!” So, anyway, I watched “Something Blue” the other day…
She was standing in front of the bridal salon, staring at the dress display in the front window, when he saw her. It had been over a year, and for a second he hesitated. He really hadn’t planned on seeing her this trip. But somehow, that just wouldn’t be right. “Buffy?”
She spun around. “Riley. Wow. I didn’t know you were in Sunnydale. What’s up?”
“Just tying up a few loose ends. From the last operation.” He looked for any indication that she harbored residual feelings for him. She seemed pleasant, but indifferent.
“The last operation.”
“Yeah. Listen, Buffy, I’m sorry. About the misunderstanding.” He rubbed at his scar with the pad of his thumb, the way he always did now when he was nervous. “If I had know what was really going on with those eggs…”
“Maybe next time you’ll do a little more research, before you,” she blushed, “walk in on people. Anyway, old news. How’s Sam?”
“Sam.” He looked at the window display. Anything to avoid her eyes. “She left me. Found someone a little more perfect. Someone she thinks won’t make mistakes.” He thrust his hands in his pockets. “She likes perfect.”
Buffy turned and put her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. I thought you were happy.”
“So did I.” He looked down into her face. “Buffy, do you think there’s a chance…?”
“For what?” She broke eye contact and looked back at the dress in the window.
His memory jogged. Another night, another chance encounter, Buffy looking at the bridal shop window. The sudden announcement of her engagement. “Oh, God, Buffy, you aren’t considering marrying Spike, are you?”
“No, Riley, I’m not considering marrying Spike.” She held up her left hand. “I am married to Spike. And I’ll tell you, my dress was a hell of a lot prettier than the one in this window.” She turned back towards her ex-lover. “Don’t give up, Riley. I’m sure there’s someone out there for you, too.” She looked at her watch. “Sorry. Gotta run. Spike’ll be getting up soon, and I want to get home. You should come and see us, if you have time. We sold the house on Revello and bought a condo on Rustica Blvd.” She stood on her tiptoes and pecked him on the cheek. “Oh, and if you run into Xander, ask him to tell you the story about being Spike’s best man. Way too funny.” She was already hurrying off when she called back, “See you around.”
“Yeah,” Riley muttered. “See you.” He walked down the main street alone. Stopping in front of the hardware store, he stared in the window. A young woman he didn’t recognize hesitated and then stopped beside him. “Hi,” she said. “Weren’t you TA in my psychology class at university? Ryan, was it? I’m Mary. I’m sure you don’t remember.”
“Riley. And no, sorry, I don’t.” He looked down at the pert, attractive brunette. “Want to jog my memory? Can I buy you a coffee?”
Mary put her arm through his. “Lead on, MacDuff.”